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Gilbert and Sullivan at Worcester Polytechnic Institute Gilbert and Sullivan at Worcester Polytechnic Institute: A Victorian Stage and Orchestra Pit for Alden Hall Interactive Qualifying Project Worcester Polytechnic Institute Authors: Alexander Edward Rock Elizabeth Carmela Ruffa Advisor: Professor John Delorey, WPI Sponsors: Sir Arthur Sullivan Society William Parry, treasurer Robin Gordon-Powell, librarian Date submitted: August 7th, 2011 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... i Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 2: Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 5 2.3 The Savoy Theatre .............................................................................................................................. 6 2.4 The Opera Comique ............................................................................................................................ 8 2.5 Collaborations ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 3: Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 10 3.2 Timeline ............................................................................................................................................ 10 3.3 Interview information ....................................................................................................................... 11 3.4 Contacts............................................................................................................................................. 11 3.5 Sample interviews ............................................................................................................................. 12 3.5.1 Directors .................................................................................................................................... 12 3.5.2 Producers ................................................................................................................................... 13 3.5.3 Theatre Managers/Owners ........................................................................................................ 14 3.6 Interview Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 15 3.7 Performance Analysis & Observation ............................................................................................... 15 3.8 Theatre photo documentation............................................................................................................ 16 Chapter 4: Research & Results .................................................................................................................... 18 4.1 Stagecraft .......................................................................................................................................... 18 4.1.1 French Fabric Flats ..................................................................................................................... 19 4.1.2 The Imitation of Moving Water ................................................................................................. 20 4.1.2.1 Wave Machines ....................................................................................................................... 20 4.1.3 Rain ............................................................................................................................................ 21 4.1.4 Thunder ...................................................................................................................................... 22 4.1.5 Wind ........................................................................................................................................... 22 4.1.6 Seagulls and other Pit Effects ..................................................................................................... 23 4.1.7 Stage Dimensions ....................................................................................................................... 24 i Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................................................................... 26 5.1 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 26 References ................................................................................................................................................... 31 Appendixes ................................................................................................................................................. 35 Appendix A – Reviews ........................................................................................................................... 35 Appendix B – Photos .............................................................................................................................. 74 B.1 Normansfield theatre.................................................................................................................... 74 Appendix C – Scans .............................................................................................................................. 102 Other scans ....................................................................................................................................... 110 Appendix D –Interview Transcriptions ...................................................................................................... 113 Helga pre-interview notes ................................................................................................................. 115 Helga Interview Notes ...................................................................................................................... 117 Helga Interview Transcription .......................................................................................................... 124 Appendix E – Timelines ....................................................................................................................... 125 Appendix F – Stage Dimensions and Blueprints .................................................................................. 126 Appendix G – Email Correspondence .................................................................................................. 127 Appendix H – Glossary of Terms ......................................................................................................... 161 Appendix I – Gilbert and Sullivan‘s Operettas ...................................................................................... 163 A.I.1 H.M.S. Pinafore ......................................................................................................................... 163 A.I.2 Pirates of Penzance ................................................................................................................... 164 A.I.3 The Gondoliers .......................................................................................................................... 165 Appendix J – Biographies of Gilbert and Sullivan.................................................................................. 167 A.J.1 W. S. Gilbert .................................................................................................................................. 167 A.J.2 Arthur Sullivan ............................................................................................................................ 169 Appendix K – First Night Productions of shows at Respective Theatres .............................................. 171 Appendix L – Gas Lighting ......................................................................................................................... 174 Appendix M - Programming and House Environment .............................................................................. 178 A.M.3 Seating ........................................................................................................................................ 178 ii Abstract Gilbert and Sullivan: a Stage and Orchestra Pit for Alden Hall combined various educational approaches and research strategies to uncover and assemble information that will provide suggestions and recommendations for an historically informed production of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan at WPI. The project presents informed suggestions and resources for collaborations between Worcester Polytechnic Institute's musical theatre organization VOX and the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society's Gilbert and Sullivan as they may be staged in the Great Hall of Alden Memorial. 1 Acknowledgements The project team would like to thank the following individuals for the contribution of their time and resources: Prof. John Delorey, WPI Helga Perry Peter
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